A grassroots parental rights group, Moms for Liberty, was barred from attending a state fair in Alaska. The decision came after they were labeled a ‘hate group’ by a local activist, citing a controversial watchdog organization.
Moms for Liberty, a national conservative group known for challenging public school content, was refused a one-day booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks, the oldest state fair in Alaska. “Defending parental rights and supporting children is not extremist,” Moms For Liberty President Tiffany Justice told Fox News Digital.
According to Tiffany Justice, Gail McBride, the chair of the Fairbanks chapter, received a rejection letter on April 27 from the fair’s board. “The community needs to know this is another attempt to cancel conservatives,” McBride told the Alaska Watchman.
Scott Vance, the executive director of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association (TVSFA), informed Fox News Digital that the local chapter’s actions at board meetings had led to this decision. According to him, “members of and people associated with the local chapter have lacked decorum.” He stated that the TVSFA reserves the right to deny applications expected to create disruptions or conflict with the fair’s mission to provide a family-friendly environment.
Gail McBride attended a Board of Directors meeting on April 15 to introduce the chapter and correct what she called local misinformation. David Leslie, a former fair employee, objected to the group’s presence, labeling Moms for Liberty as an ‘extremist hate group,’ citing its Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) designation.
Leslie claimed that the group targets LGBT people and stressed the potential dangers of hate, supported by the SPLC’s Year in Hate & Extremism report of 2022. The SPLC designated Moms for Liberty as an ‘extremist group,’ asserting that they seek to undermine public education.
A few days after the meeting, the fair’s board officially rejected the chapter’s application without a formal reason. McBride responded on June 25, expressing surprise and arguing the decision did not reflect the community. She criticized the reliance on SPLC’s ‘hate group’ label and pointed to the SPLC’s legal challenges.
Tiffany Justice mentioned that the organization is considering legal options after being denied participation. She stated, “The SPLC is often used by government entities to identify ‘hate groups,’ and this issue arises nationwide.” Justice cited a similar situation in Williamson County, Texas.
Scott Vance reiterated that TVSFA aims for inclusivity but stated that the organization’s reputation did not align with the fair’s mission. The Southern Poverty Law Center did not comment on the situation.
Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter for Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. Nelson focuses on cultural trends, education, and public policy.
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